Arsenal have been handed a potential boost in the race to sign Athletic Club star Nico Williams.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with signing the Spain international over the last few weeks, with the rumours ramping up since the transfer window opened at the start of the month.
Williams’ future has been the subject of intense speculation already this summer, with Arsenal being mentioned alongside the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool as potential destinations.
Arsenal are in the market for a new centre forward and have already been linked with the likes of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
It seems that Arsenal may also have an interest in strengthening the wide forward department, too, if the rumours linking them with signing Williams turn out to be accurate.
In a fresh boost to the Gunners, Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo has claimed that Barcelona are no longer in the running to sign Williams this summer. This is because the La Liga giants will instead prioritise trying to sign Liverpool star Luis Diaz.
Williams is reported to have a €58million (£49million) release clause in his contract at Bilbao. The forward scored 11 goals and provided seven assists last season for the Spanish outfit, helping the club reach the Europa League final.
football.london understands that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is an admirer of Williams, although it’s also understood that Bilbao are looking to extend the 22-year-old’s contract to remain with the La Liga club.
It’s not just Arsenal and Barcelona who have been heavily linked with signing Williams in recent days. Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg recently claimed that Bayern Munich have listed Williams on their transfer shortlist of left wing options, along with Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola.
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